R.I.P. Clarence Clemons, Member Of The E Street Band

Clarence Clemons, who contributed to the distinctive of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, has died in Florida from complications from a stroke. Clemons met Springsteen in 1971 and joined his band the following year. For the next four decades, Clemons was among the most recognizable side men in rock and roll, giving the E Street Band visual flair in addition to memorable sax parts on songs such as "Born to Run," "Badlands," and "Dancing in the Dark." Clemons also had memorable duets with Jackson Browne on "You're a Friend of Mine" and Aretha Franklin on "Freeway of Love." His last collaboration was with Lady Gaga, who recruited Clemons to play on her Born This Way album. Springsteen issued the following statement:

"Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."